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3. Dealer Selection

We’ve shown you the Maserati MC Corse Concept and the European production car it begat, the GranTurismo MC Stradale. That’s MC for Maserati Corse (racing), Stradale for the street-legal variant. See, in the Old World, where Maserati is remembered as a racing marque, some rich folks actually consider tracking the big grand tourers the Trident builds today. But Americans reckon there are better, lighter, more lithe cars to go racing in, so the U.S. spec 2012 GranTurismo MC (making its debut in New York) dispenses with the serious track-only aspects of the MC Stradale. That car has no rear seat, its front seats are non-adjustable lightweight shells, and it wears carbon-ceramic brakes, all of which save 220 pounds. Our version retains the typical interior seating and runs grooved steel brakes behind your choice of three 20-inch wheel designs (each lightened by 2.2 pounds relative to the standard 20s).

Power comes from Maserati’s top-performing DOHC V-8, a 444-hp 4.7-liter, bolted to a 6-speed automatic with MC Shift (paddle shifters with quicker response and match-rev downshifting). The factory claims it’ll accelerate to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds on its way to a top speed of 185 mph (of course, so did Joe Walsh’s, and he cautions “I lost my license, now I don’t drive.”)

A revised aluminum hood features vents that relieve underhood pressure to reduce lift. Along with revisions to the rockers, and an aggressive rear spoiler and diffuser, Maserati claims that downforce is increased by 25 percent in front, 50 percent in the rear. And yes, they mean downforce, not just lift reduction-apparently the base coupe generates a small amount of measurable downforce at speeds of 120 and up. More impressive-the drag coefficient is claimed to remain the same, at 0.35. Standard trim changes include piano black treatment of trim that is chrome on other models, dark-appearance headlamps, and a meaner looking front fascia. Optional equipment includes a carbon-fiber package consisting of mirror caps, door handles, and rear spoiler.

Pricing has yet to be announced, but the car is now orderable, and now ranks as the brand’s most exclusive, limited production model. Also now on sale, the GranCabrio Sport, sharing the powertrain and dark trim of the MC.